Salad shaker

ABSTRACT

A salad shaker having a lower part of a container and a cover which is placed on the cover and has a cable pull drive by which the salad sieve can be rotated. The drive is connected to a rotating plate by a free-running device which acts on both sides, and enables the rotational direction of the salad sieve to be changed in a spring-biased manner. The repeated change in rotational direction causes the shaking efficiency to be significantly improved. The restoring force of the inventive spring automatically reels in the cable and holds the handle in a desired position on the cover in a spring-biased manner. The drive of this invention can also be used in handle-operated salad shakers.

[0001] The present invention relates to a salad spin dryer according to the preamble of the independent patent claims 1 and 6.

[0002] Several variants of salad spin dryers are available on the market. They all comprise a bowl-like container lower part and a lid with an integrated drive unit. In the container lower part there is located a salad sieve rotatably mounted about a vertical axis. For emptying and for cleaning one may remove the salad sieve. The salad sieve has an essentially cylindrical sidewall and a flat base and is open to the top. On the lower side of the lid there is arranged a rotating plate which likewise is rotatable about the vertical axis. The rotating plate comprises tabs, which reach downwards and with a closed spin dryer are in active connection with the salad sieve. Usually the tabs engage between corresponding ribs of the salad sieve, which are arranged uniformly distributed over the upper periphery of the sieve. The rotating plate in one known embodiment form is connected to a gear with gearwheels. A crank is located in the lid and the gear may be driven by way of this. If one rotates the crank, then the rotating plate and thus the complete salad sieve is set into rotation. By way of the multiplication in the gear one achieves high rotational speeds and the remaining water which the salad leaves still retain from washing is shaken through the openings of the salad sieve to the outside by way of the exerted centrifugal force. It hits the inner wall of the container lower part where it may run downwards and collects on the base. With the spinning procedure with such a crank-operated salad spin dryer the sieve always rotates always in the same direction. The sieve must be completely braked before a change in the rotational direction, before it may be rotated into the other direction. These known salad spin dryers furthermore have the disadvantage that the crank needs to be rotated in a constant manner until the salad leaves are sufficiently dried. An unbalance produced by the non-uniform distribution of the salad leaves in the salad sieve brakes the rotational movement and in time damages the bearing and gear.

[0003] From the applicant there is also known a salad spin dryer with a yoyo-like pull-cord mechanism, which on spinning ensures a regular change in rotational direction. Customers desire this since the rhythmic braking and acceleration in the opposite direction considerably improve the spinning result. With known pull-cord drives the rotating plate is seated on a vertical axle arranged centrally in the lid, on which also one end of the pull-cord is fastened. At the opposite end of the cord there is fastened a grip, which permits a simple gripping and prevents the complete pulling of the cord into the lid. If the cord is wound around the axle then the rotating plate and thus the salad sieve may be set into a quick rotation opposite to the direction of winding by way of a strong pulling. If the axle-side end of the cord is reached then this is automatically wound around the axle in the rotational direction. Shortly before the complete winding-on of the cord the user brakes the rotational movement so that the rotating plate and the sieve come to a standstill. The cord is now completely or at least approximately completely wound-up and by way of a renewed pulling the rotating plate and sieve are set into rotation with the reverse rotational direction. If one has spun for a sufficiently long time, then the lid may be lifted from the lower part of the container and the salad sieve may be lifted out of the lower part of the container. The residual water is thrown out from the container lower part. One disadvantage of the known pull-cord spin dryers lies in the fact that at the end of the spinning procedure the cord with the handle is not completely retracted but partly hangs out of the lid. The cord needs to be completely wound up by hand by way of the rotating plate. If it is to be avoided that the handle due to its intrinsic weight partly rolls off the cord and hangs down on spin dryer in an unsightly manner, then separate retaining means are yet required.

[0004] It is the object of the invention to specify a salad spin dryer, which no longer has these disadvantages.

[0005] The features specified in the patent claims achieve this object.

[0006] One additional advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the rotational direction of the salad sieve is changed again and again automatically. The regular change in rotational direction has the effect that the salad leaves change their position in the salad sieve. By way of this the residual water which is located in the troughs in the salad leaves closed to the outside is likewise shaken out after the change in rotational direction.

[0007] A further advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the restoring force of the spring-pull according to the invention rolls up the cord automatically and retains the handle impinged by spring force in a desired position on the lid.

[0008] The invention is described hereinafter in combination with the drawings. There are shown in:

[0009]FIG. 1 a salad spin dryer according to the invention in a lateral view;

[0010]FIG. 2 a section along the vertical axis through the spin dryer drive; and

[0011]FIG. 3 a horizontal section along A-A through the drive.

[0012] A salad spin dryer according to the invention (FIG. 1) comprises a container lower part 2 and a lid 1 placed thereon and in the inside comprises a basket-like salad sieve 3. The lid 1 may be lifted from the container lower part 2. In the centre of the base in the container lower part 2 there is advantageously present a bearing pin 21. The salad sieve 3 is rotatably mounted on this about a vertical axis 100. The salad sieve 3 in a known manner may be removed from the container lower part 2. In the lid 1 there is located the new drive 10 with which the salad sieve 3 may be set into rotation. A pull-cord 11 is led through an opening 102 in the lid 1. The pull-cord 11 connects the handle 103, which is arranged outside the lid 1 at the opposite end of the pull-cord to the drive in the inside of the lid. The drive 10 is mechanically connected to a rotating plate 14. The rotating plate 14 is preferably releasably connectable to the salad sieve 3 with a positive fit in the known manner. The rotating plate 14 with a closed lid forms an upper covering for the salad sieve 3. On the edge it comprises a number of tabs 142, which engage into corresponding openings or between ribs in the salad sieve 3. The tabs 142 serve as lugs and transmit a rotational movement of the rotating plate 14 onto the salad sieve 3.

[0013] The new drive 10 is located completely in or on the lid 1 as this is shown in FIG. 2. The drive comprises a cord drum 12 around which the pull-cord 11 may be wound or unwound. The cord drum 12 is fastened rotatable about two sleeves 171, 172 arranged concentrically and rigidly. A spiral spring 13 is tensioned between an upper fastening sleeve 171 and the rotatable cord drum 12. With its inner end the spiral spring 13 is fastened on the sleeve 171 and with its other end on the inner side of the cord drum 12. A second sleeve 172 is arranged rigidly on the lid concentrically within the sleeve 17. The bearing sleeve 172 extends further downwards than the fastening sleeve 171 and has a smaller diameter than this. The lower edge of the bearing sleeve 171 in the embodiment example according to FIG. 2 with the lower edge of the lid lies approximately in one plane. The part of the bearing sleeve 172 projecting downwards from the outer fastening sleeve 171 carries a single-part or multi-part bearing bushing 19. The bearing bushings may have ball bearings, roller bearings or rocker bearings, or in a simple version, as is shown, may be manufactured of a material for reducing friction. Further bearing elements 19, 19′ are arranged at other locations of the drive 10 which have a higher friction loading.

[0014] A cover 18 is admitted into the bearing sleeve 172 at the lower end and is preferably held in a clamped manner. With its flattish head the cover 18 covers the centre of the rotating plate 14 and retains the rotating plate in the desired axial position at the lower end of the bearing sleeve 172.

[0015] The rotating plate 14 with a plurality of upwardly projecting cams 141 which are arranged about a central opening of the rotating plate 14 engages into corresponding openings on the lower side of a lower free-wheel means 16. This lower free-wheel means 16 in a freely rotatable manner circumscribes the bearing bushing 19, which is seated on the bearing sleeve 172. Together with the lower free-wheel means 16 an upper free-wheel means 15 is arranged in the region between a lower cord-carrying part of the cord drum 12 and the bearing bushing 19.

[0016] The cord drum 12 is rotatably mounted on the bearing sleeve 172 via the two free-wheel means 15, 16. The rotational movement of the cord drum about the bearing sleeve 172 is however limited by the spiral spring 13 which as already described above engages on an upper part of the cord drum 12 and on the fastening sleeve 171.

[0017] The upper 15 and lower free-wheel means 16 are connected to one another with a positive and/or non-positive fit and have an opposite free-wheel or blocking function with respect to the cord drum 13. In FIG. 3 there is shown a section through the drive 10 in the region of the lower free-wheel means 16. The free-wheel means 16 is mounted within the cord drum 12 such that a plurality of blocking or clamping rollers or roller devices 162 are able to create a clamped releasable connection between the inner wall of the cord drum 12 and a central blocking body 161. With its central opening the blocking body 161 is seated on the bearing sleeve 172 in a freely rotatable manner, wherein the rotational direction is simplified by the intermediately lying bearing bushing 19. The cams 141 which from the rotating plate 14 engage into the corresponding receivers in the blocking body are likewise shown in section.

[0018] By way of this or another known free-wheel type, on pulling out the pull-cord 11 from the first free-wheel means 16 one exerts a blocking effect whilst the second free-wheel means 15 is free running. On pulling in the cord, the conditions are exactly reversed.

[0019] If now with the concrete embodiment example the pull-cord 11 is pulled out, then it is wound off the pull-cord drum 12. With this the cord drum 12 is turned in a first direction. The first lower free-wheel means 16 by way of this is brought into the blocking position and co-rotated. Via the already described positive-fit cam connection the free-wheel means also sets the rotating plate 14 into rotation in the first rotational direction.

[0020] During the pulling-out of the pull-cord 11 the spiral spring 13 is simultaneously tensioned. An abutment prevents the pull-cord 11 from being pulled too far. If the pull-cord reaches a completely pulled-out position, the cord drum comes to a standstill and releases the first free-wheel means 16. The rotating plate 14 due to the free-wheel effect of both free-wheel means 15, 16 may rotate further until the rotational movement due to friction becomes smaller and finally ends.

[0021] If the pulled-out pull-cord 11 is released or relaxed then it is automatically pulled in by the force of the tensioned spiral spring 13 and is wound onto the cord drum 12. The cord drum 12 is thus moved by the spiral spring 13 in the direction opposite to the pulling-out direction or to the first rotational direction. This oppositely-directed rotational movement of the cord drum now blocks the second upper free-wheel means 15, whilst the first lower free-wheel means 16 remains in the free-wheel function. The upper blocked free-wheel means 15 rotates and thus also the lower free-wheel means 16 and the rotating plate 14 now in the direction opposite to the pulling-out direction. The salad sieve 13 is likewise set into rotation in this direction. If the pull-cord 11 has been completely pulled in, the handle 103 is located in the abutment at the opening 102 in the lid 1 and the cord drum 12 comes to a standstill. The second upper free-wheel means 15 now no longer blocks and the free-wheel function of both free-wheel means permits the rotating plate 14 and the salad sieve 3 to rotate further as long as the inertia is sufficient, or the movement in the second direction is stopped by a renewed pull on the handle 103.

[0022] The first lower free-wheel means 16 on account of the renewed pulling-out of the pull-cord 11 again comes into a blocking function and effects a renewed movement of the free-wheel means and the rotating plate 14 connected to it, in the first rotational direction together with the cord drum 12.

[0023] By way of the above described device it is achieved that on pulling out the cord 11, the salad sieve 3 is set in rotation in a first direction and also remains in rotation in this direction as long as its moment of inertia acts. However as soon as the pulled-out pull-cord is released, the spiral spring 13 by way of the second free-wheel means 15 begins to set the rotating plate 14 and the salad sieve 3 in rotation in the opposite direction. By way of a sudden release of the pulled-out cord one may force a sudden stop of the movement in the first rotational direction and a reversal of the rotational direction. With this sudden stop the salad leaves within the salad sieve 3 are moved on account of their own inertia and even partly turned over. With the spinning process in the opposite direction which now follows, “trapped” drops of water may be still flung out.

[0024] The drive according to the invention may likewise be applied to salad spin dryers with a crank drive. In place of the cable and the spiral spring the crank mechanism steps in to drive the opposing rotational movements. Instead of a cord drum one applies a drive drum which is preferably circumferentially toothed in an outer casing region so that it may be driven in both directions by way of a crank drive. As soon as the crank is rotated in one direction, the drive drum is accelerated until a desired highest crank speed has been reached. By way of the blocked first free-wheel means the rotational movement in a first direction is transmitted to the salad sieve in the manner described above. With a stop of the crank movement the salad sieve analogously to a pull-cord drive rotates further in the same direction until it comes to a stillstand by itself due to the friction, or until the crank is moved in the opposite second direction. In this case a blocking of the second free-wheel means specifically occurs and thus a jolt-like change in the rotational direction of the salad sieve. With a crank-operated salad spin dryer according to the present invention the user may thus freely choose whether he wants to cause a change in rotational direction or not. It may also be driven again and again in only one direction.

[0025] As already mentioned above, the spiral spring 13 ensures that the pull-cord in the idle position is always completely wound up. This means that the handle 30 is held indirectly on the lid impinged by spring force, or on the opening 102. This brings two advantages, firstly the cord is always accommodated in the inside of the lid except for when one pulls on the handle, and secondly the grip by way of the prevailing spring force may be held in practically any desired position, also opposite to the force of gravity acting on it. If the handle for example is formed in the shape of a salad head, then the cord may be fastened to the lower side of the salad head, and in the relieved condition the spring force will hold the salad head in the upright condition on the surface of the lid exactly over the opening 102.

[0026] The passage opening 102 may also be arranged at the edge of the lid 1, and a handle 103 may be held in the idle position horizontally projecting from the lid 1. It should once again be stressed that the different grip positions may be achieved without additional clamping or retaining means. 

1. A salad spin dryer with a container lower part (2) and with a salad sieve (3) rotatable therein about a vertical axis (100), with a lid (1) on whose lower side there is arranged a rotating plate (14) which is rotatable about the vertical axis (100) and which is engaged with the salad sieve (3) by way of tabs (142), and with a drive (10) with which the rotating plate (14) may be set into rotation, characterised in that the drive (10) comprises a cord drum (12) and a pull-cord (11) which may be wound onto and off the cord drum (12) and which with one end is fastened on the cord drum (12) and with an opposite end to a handle (103), and that the cord drum (12) and rotating plate (14) are operationally coupled via a free-wheel device (15, 16) acting on two sides.
 2. A salad spin dryer with a container lower part (2) and with a salad sieve (3) rotatable therein about a vertical axis (100), with a lid (1) on whose lower side there is arranged a rotating plate (14) which is rotatable about the vertical axis (100) and which is engaged with the salad sieve (3) by way of tabs (142), and with a drive (10) with which the rotating plate (14) may be set into rotation, characterised in that the drive (10) comprises a drive drum which is drivable via a crank mechanism and which is operationally coupled to the rotating plate (14) via a free running device (15, 16) acting on two sides.
 3. A salad spin dryer according to claim 1, characterised in that between the second cord drum (12) and the lid (1) there is present a spiral spring (13) arranged concentrically about the vertical axis (100), which on pulling out the pull-cord (11) is tensioned by way of the rotation of the cord drum (12).
 4. A salad spin dryer according to claim 3, characterised in that between the cord drum (12) and the rotating plate (14) there is arranged a first free-wheel device (16) with a first entraining direction and a second free-wheel device (15) with a second entraining direction, wherein the second entraining direction is opposite to the first entraining direction.
 5. A salad spin dryer according to claim 4, characterised in that the pull-cord (11), when rolled up, is wound off from the cord drum (12) counter to the force of the spiral spring (13), wherein the rotating plate (14) is driven in the first entraining direction by the first blocking free-wheel device (16).
 6. A salad spin dryer according to claim 4, characterised in that the pull-cord (11) when pulled out and let go of, is wound up again onto the cord drum (12) by the force of the tensioned spiral spring (13), wherein by way of the second blocking free-wheel device (15) in the second entraining direction the rotating plate (14) is driven in the reverse direction.
 7. A salad spin dryer according to claim 4, 5, or 6, characterised in that the pull-cord (11) is provided with an end abutment for limiting the pull-out length, and with a handle (103) for limiting the pull-in length.
 8. A salad spin dryer drive for driving a salad sieve arranged rotatable about a vertical axis (100), characterised in that the drive (10) comprises primary drive means from the group of pull-cord/spring or crank drive which are in active connection with secondary drive means from the group of cord drum or drive drum, wherein the primary and secondary drive means are rotatably mounted about the vertical axis (100) and that rotational movements of the secondary drive means may be actively transmitted to the rotating plate by way of a free-wheel device (15, 16) acting on two sides 